Means for recording readings of meters.



J. H. WEEKS.

MEANS FOR RECORDING READINGS 0F METERS. APPLICATION FILED' MAR. 22. 1916.

1,242,093. Patented Oct. 2191?;

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ing shaft l which shafts are UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH H. WEEKS, OE BATTLE CREEK, IvIICEIGAN, ASSIGNOE 0F ONE-HALE TO JOSEPH W. BRYCE, OE BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

MEANS FOR RECORDING READINGS or Mnrnas.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 2, 1917.

Application filed Larch 22, 1916. Serial No. 85,823.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Josnrrr H. Venus,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, in the county of Calhoun and State of lvlichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Recording Readings of Meters; and 1 hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is a novel card record making machine for making visual and permanent records on cards or sheets of the readings of the register mechanism of gas and electric meters, dial registers. time registers, etc., and its object is to provide novel means by which single records or duplicate records can be taken from an ordinary n eter register.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one practical form of the invention andwill explain same in detail with reference thereto, and set forth in the claims the novel features and combinations of parts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan View partly broken away, of my novel card record making ma chine.

Fig. 2 is a re r view of Fig. 1 showing the parts in di ferent positions by the of dotted lines.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4t is a rertical sectional view taken on the line 4- l of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is View of one of the record cards detached, and

7 is an enlarged detail section of one o the punching devices.

The registering mechanism from which the records are to be taken may be of any suitable units registering; shaft L a tens regis teriug shaft 1. anda hundreds registerprovided with intermeshiug gear and pinions, that may be driven by gearing from a master shaft 1 as indicated in Fig. 1. Such registeringmechanism being of a well known kind, and is shown as having type, needs no specific description. and the particular construction thereof forms no part ofthe present invention.

he master shaft 1 is operatively connected in any suitable manner (not shown) with the proper actuating member of the meter or other mechanism whose operations are to be registered.

Said registering mechanism is mounted in a movable frame composed of front and rear plates 2 and 2 and side plates 2 which latter extend beyond the rear plate 2 for a purpose hereinafter explained. Said frame is slidably mounted within an outer casing 3 of any suitable construction which may be mounted within, or attached to the meter rsing M, or any other suitable sup por T he front of the casing 3 may be provided with an opening, pposite the face of the register and the disks 1, and said opening may be closed by a glass plate 3 On the outer end of each shaft 1, 1 and 1 is mounted a disk 1 and each disk is provided with a forwardly projecting perforating pin 1 4 and 7) which is adapted to punch the record cards or sheets R, r, as hereinafter explained.

Each disk 1 has in its periphery, which is preferably. diametrically opposite the pin i a notch 1 for a purpose hereinafter explained. Fitted against the front plate 2 of the n'iovable frame is a sliding plate 7 which has an opening large enough for the accommodation of the several disks 1 and is movable vertically, being normally pressed upward by a spring 7. On the lower side of the opening in the plate 7 are stop lugs 7 which are adapted to engage the. notches l in the several disks as hereinafter explained. The plate has upwardly extending fingers 7 which have slots 7 guided on pins 7 attached to part 2, and this plate 7 has on one end a beveled lug 7 for a purpose hereinafter descri ed.

Upon each pin 1 is preferably placed a compressible cushion i (see Fig. 7) which may be of rubber, and which normally projects slightly beyond the point of the pin, and whenthe latter is forced into the card t is cushionis compressed, but when the pin is moved away from the card the cushion expands and clears the card from the pin.

The frames 2 and 3 should be relatively movable so that the punches 1 can headvanced toward orfrom the glass plate 3 for a purpose hereinafter explained. As shown, frame 2 is bodily movable; and for this purpose the side plates 2 and the side walls of the casing 3 are provided, in rear of plate 2, with slots 2 and 2 through which pass the cam ends 4 of a slide 4, said cam ends 4 being so shaped that if the bar 4 is moved longitudinally the ends 4* engaging the slots 2 will move the frame 2 forward or back. The slide 4 is guided, and held against sidewise movement by a pair of strips 4" secured on the under-sides of the members 4 and slidable within the slots 4 formed in the sides of the outer casing 3 continuous with the slots 2 r The bar 4 may be reciproea-ted by means of a crank arm 5 mounted on a rock shaft j ournaled in bearings 39 attached to the cas ing 3 as shown. Thecrank arm 5 connects with the bar 4 by a connecting rod 5 fitting on the pins 12 and 13 on said crank and bar respectively.

The shaft 5 is provided on its forward end with a segment 5 and on the shaft beside the segment is loosely pivoted a lever 5 which, when in normal position, lies horizontally upon the casing 3, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, and can be raised to practically vertical position, as indicated, without affecting the shaft 5; but when raised to such position the lever will contact a lug 5 on segment 5 and a further movement of the lever 5 to the right will rock shaft 5 and cause it, through crank 5 and the connecting rod 5 to move bar 4 to the left until the lever reaches the position indicated at 5, Fig. 2.

(hen the lever 5 contacts the lug 5 it is engaged by a catch 5 attached to the segment 5, and shown as a spring-actuated ball catch adapted to engage a correspond ing recess in the lever, so that when the lever 5 is returned from the position indicated by dotted lines 5 (Fig. 2) to the full line position shown, the lever will cause the segment 5 to rock shaft 5 backward and move bar 4 to the right thus returning it to normal position; but when the lever 5 reaches the vertical position (Fig. segment 5 engages a lug 3 on the casing 3, and further return rocking movement of shaft 5 is prevented, but lever 5 may forcibly disengage catch 5 and be moved on down to the position shown as at 5Lin Fig. 2.

Slidably attached to plate 2 above the lug 7 is a catch plate 8 which may be attached to plate 2 by means of slots and pins as i11- dicated in Fig. 4; and this plate has a finger 8 which is adapted to be projected out wardly under the end of the lever 5 as indicated in Fig. 4; but when the plate 7 is fully raised this plate will be retracted by the engagement of the bevel face of lug 7 with the bevel face 8 on the under side of the plate 8, see Fig. 4. The plate 7 cannot rise in such position as to disengage plate 8 until the notches 1 in the several disks have been brought into register with the teeth 7 as hereinafter explained.

In the side of the sliding plate 8 is a notch 8 which is engaged with an arm 11 On top of a shaft 11 pivoted in cars on the plate 2 and on the lower end of this shaft is an arm 11 to which is pivotally connected a catch 11 which-extends through an opening in the plate 2, and the end of this catch is adapted to engage a notch 4 in the slide bar 4 and lock the latter when the slide 8 is fully retracted, but when the slide is pro jeeted by the insertion of a card to the position shown in Fig. 1 the arm 11 will rock shaft 11 and withdraw catch 11 from the bar 4", thus permitting the operation of the lever 5 as heretofore stated.

On the shaft 1 may be mounted a cage gear wheel 1 which is adapted to be engaged by a spur wheel 6 mounted on a stud 6 attached to the upper end of a lever 6" pivoted on a stud 6 attached to the rear plate 2. On the stud 6 is also pivoted a lever 6 that may be provided with a spring catcher pawl 6 adapted to engage serrations or notches 6 in the spur wheel 6 when the lever 6 is moved in one direction, so that the spur gear (3 may be rotated by oscillating. lever 6". Said lever 6 is provided on its outer end with a handle 6' by which it can be operated from the front of the casing, and this arm 6 is adapted to engage a notch 5 in the lever 5, when the latter is lowered, and when so engaged will hold spur gear 6 out of mesh with the cage gear 1 as shown in full lines in Fig. 2.

A locking lever A (Figs. 1, 2, 3) is adapted to hold gear 6 out of mesh with gear 1" until the slide bar 4 is moved to the left its full stroke. A block 0 on sl de bar 4 is adapted to come into contact with the top arm of lever A and move it to the upright position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The gear O brings gears (3 and 1" into mesh.

The large gear 0 having a long hub (Fig. 1) is loosely mounted on shaft 1 between the collar, friction spring and the small pinion on shaft 1. Said collar and pinion being fast to shaft 1. The friction spring allows shaft 1, 1*, 1 to be turned back to zero without disturbing any of the other i I working parts.

For the purpose of recording the number 5 plunger and working through the plate S V are adapted to be operated by a cam slotted lever P, whose cam-way p is engaged by shown in Fig. 6.

the pin 19 mounted on the arm 79 on the sliding bar 4. The cam lever P is connected by a link L with the base or hearing member P of the plunger P, and said hear ing portion-is guided rectilinearly by the block P working within the slot P of the bottom casing wall. A plate 1 arried by the guiding block holds the plunger elements in proper relative position for operation.

Removable registry'cards or sheets can be inserted between the glass 3" and the registering mechani m, when the latter is retncted to the position hown in Fig. l. Said cards maybe guided by means of the plate S through which the disk 1 projects, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. For convenience in inserting and properly positioning the cards in the casing I prefer to cut away the lower right hand corner of the card as @n the cards 1% should be printed dials,

as indicated, coresponding with tie usual numeral dlals (not shown) or" the several.

pointers 1; so that when a card R is properly inserted in position the printed dials on the card will be directly opposite the fingers 1 andii the card is forcibly brought into contact with the pins i it will be punctured by the latter; and when the card is removed the punctures therein (indicated at r Fig. 6) will show the exact positions of the fingers 1 in relation to their respective dials at the time of the puncturin; operation.

Thus in the example shown in 6 the hundreds and tens. pointers 1 were each at 8; while the units pointer was at 3' so that the amount registered would read EM 3, (or 88300) assuming the reading; was taken from an ordinary gas-meter register.

in order to make duplicate records, cards or ieets may be simultaneously introduced and punctured. Prete'ablv, as hereinatte' explained, I introduce with the card a sheet, indicated at printed like the card It. and of the same size: this sheet is preferably of a different color from the card for a purpose hereinafter explained.

Operation.

To make a record of the amount regiutercd by the meter, the lever ,5 is first ised to perpendicular position (5 Fig. 2) or until it is stopped by the lug 5 on the side of segment I; this permits the catch 5 to engage the lever.

A card R is then inserted behind the glass 3". The'lever 5 is then moved to the position 5' (Fig. 2) turning the shaft 5 and causing crank 'arm 5 and connecting: link 5 to move bar 4 to the left. which will move casing toward the card causing; the pins 1 and N to punch the card as indicated in F igs. '3 and Then upon the return moveshould be removed. Then lever 6 should gear operated manually to turn. 6, and 1' l brings the register and punching as back to Zero position. Lever 5 is then "WQTCCl to the first position, shown in dotted -ines F 2, closing the opening through which the card was inserted.

When a card is inserted its cut away cerner will engage and force slide 8 outward, until its end 8" projects under the squared end of lever 5, said lever being in the position shown by dotted lines 5 in Figs. 2 and 4, and will prevent return of the lever until the register is reset.

The lever 6 is then operated manually to turn gear 6 and 1 until the teeth 7 on the plate 7 register with the notches 1 Then plat is moved upward by the sorin 7" e 7 a d locks the punching disks at zero. When e 7 rises the lug T contacts with the bowel part 8 of slide 8, and moves slide 8 back and releases lever which can then be pres ed down, and in descending said lever com Contact with the upper nds of the lime on plate '7 {which are bent toward the fro or card opening indicated in 1 will force plate 7 do vn releasing the u and leaving them free to-be turned by t registering wheels in the usual manner.

ll hen the movable frame 2. 2 and 2 with members 8, 8 and 8 located within it) is in red forward it will carry latch 11 out of the notch in bar l, but said latch will return to place when the stroke is finished. l i lcn lever 5 is raised rtically t 1e plate is ireed, so the spring 7 raises plate 7 and brings one or more the teeth t the s l hol' the operator ie has turned ant 7.

d. and when the pins 13 are forced card. the Ho c tli-"ougli t- 1c sheet and into the pieces punched from the sheet are left in card. as indicated in Fig. 7, and tie-so punched pieces in the card show very distinct v the reading on the printed card dials. andthe pertoratious in the sheet show the same reading". The number of the mete-r may b simultaneously indicated on both card and sheet by the puncturing needles N, as indicated at the middle point oi. the lower edge of Fig. 6. The card and sheet must and will read alike as they are made at the same time, and when used for gas, or electric meter records, the cards can be filled with the company and the sheets sent to the consumers. The meter is preferably set back to zero after each puncturing operation so the cards will show the amounts registered between successive recording operations.

What I claim is: V

1. In a recording device for registers, the combination of a casing, a'registering mechanism therein, and punching devices con nected with the registering devices, means for impaling a card upon said devices, and compressible cushions on the punching devices for clearing the punctured cards therefrom.

2. In a recording device for registers, the combination of a casing, a registering mechanism therein, and punching devices connected with the registering devices, means for supporting a removable card or sheet opposite said punching devices, means for impaling the card upon said devices, and compressible cushions on the punching devices for clearing the punctured cards therefrom.

3. In a recording device for registers, the combination of a casing, a registering mechanism therein, pins connected with the registering devices, means for supporting removable cards and a sheet in front of said pins; and means for causing the pins to punch the sheet and embed the parts punched therefrom into the card.

4:. In a recording device for registers, the combination of a casing, a registering mechanism therein, pins connected with the registering devices,means for supporting a removable card and a sheet in front of said pins, and means for causing the pins to punch the sheet and embed the parts punctured from the sheet into the card, and means for returning the registering devices to Zero after each recording operation.

5. In a card recording device for registore, the combination of a registering mechanism provided with indicating fingers, pins on said fingers, a card or sheet holder opposite said fingers, means for relatively moving the registering mechanism and holder to punch cards placed between said holder and registering mechanism upon said pins, compressible cushions on said pins for disengaging them from the cards, and means for returning the registering devices to zero after each recording operation.

6. The combination of a registering mechanism having indicating fingers provided with punching pins, a card holder opposite said punching pins, a slidable cam bar for producing relative movement between the holder and the registering mechanism to impale the cards upon said pins, a locking device for said bar, and means for automatically disengaging the locking device from the bar when a card is inserted in position.

7. The combination of a registering mechanism having indicating punching pins, :1. card holder opposite said pins, means for producing relative movement between the record holder and the registering mechanism to impale a card upon said pins, a rock shaft for operating said means, an operating lever, and means for locking the rock shaft to the lever during part of one movement of the lever.

8. The combination of a registering mechanism having indicating punching pins, 8. card holder opposite said pins, means for producing relative movement between the record holder and the registering mechanism to impale a card upon said pins, :1 rock shaft for operating said means, an operating lover, a segment on said rock shaft beside the lever adapted to be engaged thereby during part of the movement of the lever, and a catch for locking the segment to the lever during part of the return movement of the said lever.

9. In a card recording device for registers, the combination of a registering mechanism provided with indicating pins, a card holder opposite said pins, means for relatively moving the registering mechanism and card holder to impale the cards upon said pins, means for disengaging the pins from the cards, means for resetting the registering mechanism to zero, and card controlled means for holding the resetting mechanism out of operative position during the puncturing operation.

10. The combination of a registerin mechanism having indicating pins, a car holder opposite said pins, means for producing relative movement between the card holder and the registering mechanism to mark the card by said pins, a locking device for said means, and means for disengagin the locking device when acard is inserted in position; with a rock shaft, an operative lever, and means to lock the lever to said rock shaft during part of the movement ofthe lever.

11. The combination of a registering mechanism having indicating puncturing pins, a card holder opposite said pins, a slidable cam bar for producing relative l novement between the record holder and the registering mechanism to impale cards upon said pins, locking devices for said bar, and means controlled by the card for disengaging the locking device from the bar when the card is inserted in position; with a rock shaft operatively connected with said cam bar, an operating lever, a segment connected to said r-ock shaft beside the lever and adapted to be engaged thereby during part of the movement of the lever, and a 130 catch for locking the segment to the lever during part of the return movement of the said lever.

12. The combintion of a registering mechanism having indicating punching pins, a card holder opposite said punching pins, means for producing relative movement between the holder and the registering mechanism to impale the cards upon said pins, and means for resetting the registering mechanism to Zero; a locking device for said means, and devices controlled by the card for disengaging the locking device from the bar when the card is inserted in position; and means for holding the resetting mechanism out of operative position during the puncturing operation.

13. The combination of a registering mechanisi'n having indicating pins, a card holder opposite said pins, means for producing relative movement between the holder and the registering mechanism to mark the cards, locking devices for said means, and means controlled by the card for disengaging th locking devices when the card is inserted in position; a rock shaft operatively connected with said cam bar, operating lever, means causing said lever to operate the shaft during parts of its swinging movements; means for resetting the registering mechanism to zero, and means for holding the resetting mechanism out of operative position during the recording operation.

The combination of a registering mechanism having indicating punching pins, a card holder opposite said puncturing pins, means for producing relative movement between the holder and the registering mechanism to impale the cards upon said pins, locking devices for said means, and means controlled by the card .for disengaging the locking devices when the card is inserted in position; a rock shaft operatively connected with said cam bar, an operating lever, means for causing said lever to operate the shaft during parts of its swinging movements; means for resetting the registering mechanism to zero, and card controlled means for holding the resetting mechanism out of operative position during the puncturing oporation.

The combination of a registering mechanism having indicating fingers provided with pins, a card holder opposite said pins, a slidable cam bar for 'iroducing rela tive movement between the card holder and the registering mechanism, a rock shaft op- 1 cratively connected with said cam bar, a levar pivotally connected on said shaft, and inms for causing said lever to operate the shaft durin part of its swinging movement; a segment connecting said rock shaft beside the lever and adapted to be engaged thereby during partof the movement of the lever, a catch for locking the segment to the lever during part of the return movement of the said lever; means for resetting the registering mechanism to zero; and means for holding the resetting mechanism out of operative position during the puncturing operation.

16. The combination of a registering mechanism having indicating fingers provided with pins, a card holder opposite said pins, a slidable cam bar for producing relative movement between the card holder and the registering mechanism, locking devices for said bar, and means controlled by the card for disengaging the locking device from the bar when the card is inserted in position; with a rock shaft operatively connected with said cam bar, a lever pivotally connected on said shaft, and means for causing said lever to operate the shaft during part of its swinging movement; a segment connecting said rock shaft beside the lever and adapted to be engaged thereby during part of the movement of the lever, and a catch for locking the segment to the lever during part of the return movement of the said lever.

17. The combination of a registering mechanism having indicating fingers provided with punching pins, a card holder opposite said puncturing pins, a slidable cam bar for producing relative movement between the record holder and the registering mechanism to impale the cards upon said pins, locking devices for said bar, and means controlled by the card for disengaging the locking device from the bar when the card is inserted in position; with a rock shaft operatively connected with said cam bar, a lever pivotally connected on said shaft, and means for causing said lever to operate the shaft during part of its swinging movement; a, segment connecting said r ck shaft beside the lever and adapted to be engaged thereby during part of the movement of the leve a catch for locking the segment to the lever during part of the return movement of the said lever, means for rese ting the registering mechanism to zero, and means for holding the resetting mechanism out of operative position durin the puncturing operation,

18. The combination of a casing adapted to hold a card, a registering mechanism, means for transferring the record of said regis ering mechanism to said card, ant means for recording the readings of said mechanism; a resetting gear on the register ing mechanism, pivoted lever beside the resetting gear, a on said pivoted lever aoaptcd to engage the resetting gear, and means for operating said gear.

19. The combination of a casing adapted to hold a card, a registering mechanism having punching pins and means for impaling a card on said pins; a resetting gear on the registering mechanism, a pivoted lever beside the resetting gear, a gear on said pivoted lever adapted to engage the resetting gear, and means for operating said gear; with devices for holding said resetting gear out of operative position when the parts are in normal registering position.

20. The combination of a casing adapted to hold a card, a slidable frame in said cas ing, a registering mechanism mounted in said frame and having pins adapted to mark a card, means for moving said frame, a rock shaft and connections for operating said means, an operating lever; with a resetting gear on the registering mechanism, a pivoted lever beside the resetting gear, a gear on said pivoted lever adapted to engage the resetting gear, and means for operating said gear, and devices for holding the gear out of operative position when the lever and parts are in normal registering position.

21. The combination of a casing adapted to hold a card, a slidable frame in said casing, a registering mechanism mounted in said frame and having punching pins on its fingers adapted to puncture the card, means for moving said frame, a rock shaft and connections for operating said means, an operating lever, a segment on said rock shaft adapted to be engaged by said lever on one part of its swinging movement, and a catch for locking the lever to the cam bar during part of its return movement; with a resetting gear on the registering mechanism, a pivoted lever beside the resetting gear, a gear on said pivoted lever adapted to engage the resettng gear, means for operating said gear, and devices controlled by the card for holding the gear out of operative position when the lever and parts are in normal registering position. i

22. The combination of a registering mechanism having indicating fingers provided with punching pins, a card holder opposite said pins and a slidable cam bar and cooperating means whereby the holder and the registering mechanism are relatively moved so as to cause said pins to punch the card.

23. In a recording mechanism, the combination of a casing adapted to have cards inserted therein, registering and card impressing means movably mounted in the casing, a lever and connections to actuate said movable means to impress the cards, a second means for impressing the cards, a second lever connected to the second means, and operative connections between the said levers.

24. In a recording mechanism the combination of a casing adapted to have cards inserted therein, a frame movable in the easing, registering and card impressing means mounted on the movable frame, means for actuating the movable frame to impress the cards, and an independent card impressing means operable by said frame actuating means. 1

25. In a recording mechanism the combination of casing adapted to have cards inserted therein, a frame movable in the easing, registering and card impressing means mounted on the movable frame, a lever and connections for actuating said movable frame to impress the cards, and a plunger having card impressing means connected to be operated from said lever mechanism.

26. In a recording mechanism, the combination of a casing adapted to have cards inserted therein, a frame IIIOWlblQ in the easing, registering and card impressing means mounted on the movable frame, a lever and connections to actuate said movable frame to impress the cards, a plunger having means for impressing the cards, a cam lever connected to the plunger, and operative connections between the cam lever and said first lever.

27. In a recording mechanism the combination of a casing adapted to have cards inserted therein, a frame movable in the easing, registering and card impressing means mounted on the movable frame, means for operating the movable frame to impress the cards, a plunger having means for impressing the cards, a cam lever pivoted on the casing, a link connecting the cam lever and the plunger; and means for operating the cam lever from the frame actuating means.

28. In a recording mechanism the combination of a casing adapted to have cards inserted therein, a frame movable in the easing, registering and card impressing means mounted on the movable frame, means for operating the movable frame to impress the cards, a plunger bearing means for impressing the cards, a block slid-ably mounted on the casing and carrying said plunger, and operative connections between the plunger and said frame actuating means.

29. In a recording mechanism the combination of a casing adapted to have cards inserted therein, a frame movable in the easing, registering and card impressing means mounted on the movable frame, means for operating the movable frame to impress the cards, a plunger having means for impressing the cards, a block slidably mounted on the casing and carrying said plunger, a cam lever pivoted on the casing, a link connecting the cam lever with the plunger, and operative connections between said cam lever and its frame actuating means.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature.

JOSEPH H. WEEKS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, D. C. 

